miatacross

iTrader: (1)

Hey fellas,

I'm not sure who even remembers me. I haven't posted much since 2010 or so. I was back briefly for a while in 2012 with my 350z and in 2013 with my turbo miata, but I'm back again. My only car as of right now is a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 with koni yellow shocks, eibach pro kit springs, and just a couple performance add-ons. Nothing much, good family daily driver.

I'm still serving this great nation, however I got injured, so I'm leaving the military within a year or so and going to build another miata...my 5th one. This will be a weekend track warrior / my happy cruiser.
The plans for that will be a refreshed 1.8 with whatever is new these days. My knowledge is from 2010/11 when ARTech was the big deal, and all...so I'll research and put together a reliable, awesome engine bay with good power. I'll match that with supermiata suspension stuff (xida coilovers, new bushings, whatever). Enough talking, I'll post a thread when this starts.

​Somehow I can never leave this forum, it's fun to read all the threads on here and I can't get away from miatas.

Anyway, here's a picture of my daily driver for whoever wants to get bored of a stock-ish hatchback/wagon:

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Welcome back.

Pass on Artech unless you just want pretty. The TSE EFR setup is the new go to for track miata's.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it. I've been eyeballing your MK setup too

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

My setup is in no way shape or form a track setup. It is a great budget setup, but the new TSE setup is far above it in quality and reliability. I say this as someone who has a TSE setup sitting in my garage waiting for my downpipe, then it will get installed on one of my miata's. The EFR turbo's are really in a league of their own compared to most other things.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

Copy that. Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. Like I said I figured times have changed

I just checked out the TSE setup and gawd it's beautiful. It's quite a bit of money but hey, gotta pay to play

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Building a reliable track turbo miata is not cheap in any way shape or form. Slightly cheaper now that we have a solution for studs stretching, but still expensive.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

Very true. I'm in no rush to build the right setup. Like I said, it's gonna be my 5th Miata. I've gotten old(ish) and patient 😂

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

Artech is also good for top end power, if you are into that.

psyber_0ptix

iTrader: (4)

I have artech, it works, I'm happy, but I worry. I've seen cracked flanges and I don't want to have to keep taking this manifold on and off. If I ever had to retire my setup, I'd spring for the Trackspeed.
I actually was about to purchase the trackspeed but the artech is doing just fine, and decided on brakes and oil cooler instead.

To make a long story long, I'd love a cast manifold for reliability, but mine hasn't failed me and works well enough for now.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Artech is good, he was the best in the game after TurboTim stopped making setups. At the end of the day though a properly made cast manifold will be more reliable then a SS manifold. OP will be treated well with either setup, but I really do think the TSE setup is the future when it comes to bulletproof track turbo setups.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input on Artech. I'll stay away from it I think. Really appreciate the input.

You're right, that's when I remember him from. The post-TurboTim era. I am gonna aim and plan for the TSE, and fall back on the FM setup as a backup when I calculate all the budgeting. I don't know much about Borg Warner turbos, and I am a huge fan of Garrett (even though lately I heard Garrett's reputation isn't as good anymore). I could save a cool grand going the FM setup, that would easily get me a few other things.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Artech is not bad in any way shape or form, I am pretty sure he can make you a setup that makes better power then the TSE setup with the same turbo. Just long term track reliability will most likely not be as good. IE the Artech manifold may start cracking after 2-4 years of heavy abuse where as the TSE cast manifold will probably last forever.

The new Borgwarner EFR turbo's are step above what Garett is offering at this time. 5 years ago Garett was still king, not so much any more. EFR's have a much better IWG design and have the BOV and EBC built onto the turbo. The turbo alone is a few hundred more then a Garett, but they do save you money not buying some other things. FM still makes a good setup for the street and light track use. TSE though makes a better overall track setup and has the lap times to backup its reliability. Savington was also one of the first people to identify the stud stretching problem and then the only one to come up with a proven solution. Even if you do decide to go with an FM setup, you need to order Inconel studs from TSE to use on your FM manifold. They are more expensive then the FM ones, but they are the only ones that are proven not to have issues out on track.

psyber_0ptix

iTrader: (4)

Turn around time might be longer with Artech. Can't go wrong with either setup. You'll have more space for intercooler plumbing going with the trackspeed. You'll have more space for an air filter going with a trackspeed. You will be able to bolt it on and forget it going with a trackspeed.

Unless you're building a top power/torque kind of setup which is even questionable, there are more benefits to the TSE than Artech if starting from scratch. That being said, and to reiterate, I'm totally happy with my artech setup and all the modifications and quality of work he has done for me. If I ever need anything welded, I wouldn't hesitate to ship something to him again, so long as he isn't slammed with other work. Abe's pretty great.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

I will always look up to ARTech because his stuff is beautiful and he has skills I can only dream of having. So I understand what you mean, his stuff is badass.
In the meantime I do love the whole bolt-on-and-forget-it plan, because I got hurt in the service so my back (and my whole body) is a lot weaker than it should be so I'd love to not have to lean over my engine bay to mess with it.

miatacross

iTrader: (1)

I finally had time this morning to actually check out Borg Warner and you're so right, it's purrdy and advanced like crazy. To completely change topics:
What's your track experience with tires? I'm leaning toward an 8-wide setup with 225 bfg rivals (or similar) so I can keep my fenders

*in the meantime enjoy a picture of my dog (I mean cat):

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